Amalgamator



April 25, 1944. G. F. ROTSLER 1 2,347,284

AMALGAMATOR- Filed Aprii 6, 1943 :s Sheets- Sheet 1 A o J 6 J In ventor'eogeFi aisZer v,Zzm40: 2:.

April 25,1944. 5, RQTsLER 2,347,284

AMALGAMATOR 7 Filed April6, 1943 s sheets-sheet 2 I I wento" April 25,1944.

G. F. ROTSLER AMALGAMATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 6, 1943 InventorPatented Apr. 25, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE George F. Rotsler,Los Angeles, Calif.

Application April 6, 1943, Serial No. 482,003

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements inamalgamators, and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a device of this character embodying a novelcombination and arrangement of vertically spaced, staggered plates.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide anamalgamator of the character described wherein the operation will bevisible at all times.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide anamalgamator of the aforementioned character wherein the plates may beexpeditiously removed for cleaning.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide anamalgamator of the character described comprising a novel method offeeding the ores and concentrates to the device.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an amalgamator which willbe comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highlyefi'icient and reliable in use, compact, and which may be manufacturedat low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from a study of the followingspecification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein like characters of reference designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an amalgamator constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

Figure 2' is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section through the transparent tube.

Figure 4 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through theinjector.

Figure 5 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on theline 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on theline 6-6 of Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises avertical transparent tube I which is substantially square in horizontalsection, as shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawing. The transparenttube I may be of any suitable dimensions. The lower end of the tube I ispermanently closed, as at 2, and projecting horizontally therefrom is aplate 3 which is secured at 4 on one end portion of a base 5.

The lower portion of the transparent tube I is to be filled to thedesired level with mercury 6.

Above the level of the mercury 6, an intake pipe I communicates with thetube I. A deflector 8 is mounted in the tube I in the path of theincoming material from the intake I for directing said materialdownwardly into the mercury 6. The upper portion of the tube I isprovided with an outlet 9.

The upper end of the tube I is provided with a removable closure II]. Along rod or bolt II is suspended from the closure I0 in the tube I. Awing nut I2 on the threaded upper end portion of the rod II rests on theclosure II] for supporting the rod thereon.

Mounted on the rod II in the tube I, between the intake I and the outlet9, is a series of vertically spaced, staggered copper plates I3. SleevesI4 of suitable material on the rod II space the plates I3.

An injector I5 is connected to the intake I- by a short length of hoseI6. A hopper H, for the reception of the ore or concentrate,communicates with the injector I5. The injector I5 is to be connectedwith a suitable source of water under pressure, which water iscontrolled by a valve I8.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be readily apparentfrom a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the water flowing underpressure through the injector I5 draws the ores or concentrates from thehopper I1 and carries them into the vertical, transparent tube I throughthe intake I. The water is regulated by the valve I8. This permits morewater for a heavy concentrate than is required for a comparatively lightconcentrate. The water fills the tube I, the concentrate being directeddownwardly into the mercury 6 by the deflector 8. The concentrate isthen carried upwardly past the plates I3 to the discharge 9. The copperplates I3, owing to this upward flow of the concentrate, progressivelybuild up or become coated from the lowermost to the uppermost of saidplates. The operation may be readily observed at all times through thetransparent tube I. To remove the plates I3 for cleaning, the wing nutI2 is loosened and the entire assembly on the rod II is simply liftedout of the tube I. While one set of the plates is being cleaned, anotherset may be installed in the tube I and operation of the machine may becontinued.

It is believed that the many advantages of an amalgamator constructed inaccordance with the present invention will be readily understood, andalthough a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated anddescribed, it is to be understood that changes in the details ofconstruction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may beresorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed is:

An amalgamator comprising a vertical tube for the reception of mercuryin its lower portion, said tube having an intake in its lower portion

